Post on 21-Dec-2015
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Institutional Development for Institutional Development for
Agricultural Heritage Agricultural Heritage
ConservationConservationWageningen International Frank van Schoubroeck and ArendJan van Bodegom
Globally Important Globally Important
Agricultural Heritage Agricultural Heritage
Systems (GIAHS)Systems (GIAHS)GIAHS is an FAO initiative to
Define & recognise AHSContribute to “dyanamic conservation” of such systems
Remarkable land use systems and Remarkable land use systems and landscapeslandscapesrich in biodiversity rich in biodiversity [resulting from] the co-adaptation of a [resulting from] the co-adaptation of a rural community with its environmentrural community with its environment
In short: In short: GIAHSs are GIAHSs are socio-ecologicalsocio-ecological agricultural agricultural systemssystems
FAO’s definition of GIAHS:FAO’s definition of GIAHS:
‘‘dynamic conservation’ is dynamic conservation’ is
piloted in six sites, e.g.,piloted in six sites, e.g.,
Chiloe Islands, Chilli - potato Chiloe Islands, Chilli - potato
systemssystems
Rice terrace systems:Rice terrace systems:
Philippines–Ifugao; China–Philippines–Ifugao; China–
Rice-FishRice-Fish
The assignment of GIAHS The assignment of GIAHS
projects:projects:Government
Market
GIAHS
GIAHS
MarketGovernment
Culture
Project
Institutional
change
How?
Traditional three-level cultivation Traditional three-level cultivation
system:system:
-Palm trees-Palm trees
-Fruit crops-Fruit crops
-Annual crops-Annual crops
Threats to oasis system:Threats to oasis system:
Palm & fruit tree logging; annual Palm & fruit tree logging; annual
croppingcropping
NGO project: awareness raising NGO project: awareness raising
about oasis system: promote about oasis system: promote
multiple cropping layersmultiple cropping layers
NGO Project: Niche Market NGO Project: Niche Market
Development for oasis productsDevelopment for oasis products
Chat with Oasis farmers: why Chat with Oasis farmers: why
do you cut palm & fruit tree do you cut palm & fruit tree
layers?layers?
Farmers tell that most land is under Farmers tell that most land is under
absentee landowners, who employ absentee landowners, who employ
labour for maximum 1-2 seasonslabour for maximum 1-2 seasons
… … effectiveness awareness effectiveness awareness raising & niche marketing?raising & niche marketing?
Q&D Reconstruction of Q&D Reconstruction of
Land holding history Gafsa oasisLand holding history Gafsa oasis Traditionally: local chief system administered land holding
1950s: State enforced land holding certification and undermined traditional system
Now: absentee landowners keep labourers “unattached”
State does not enforce labourer rights Thus, labourers invest for short-term only, kill
palm trees: Thus, the oasis system disintegrates, even if
under different conditions it is viable and sustainable
Existingcontext
What to do to address land tenure? What to do to address land tenure?
Outcome Framework for Land Tenure Outcome Framework for Land Tenure
Governance Mechanism:Governance Mechanism:
Agriculture labour legal protection
GIAHS Recognition
Tenure policy for agricultural labourers
Enforcement of tenure rights
GIAHS concept
Farmers’ communit
y
State Government InstitutionsLocal
government
Ministry of Agricultur
e
Ministry of Trade
FAO
Agriculture
labourers
Maintenance of multi-layered crop system
Secure land tenure for labourers
Viability of the Oasis system
Governance Mechanism Development Land Tenure Governance Mechanism Development Land Tenure
for GIAHSfor GIAHSActor Activity Condition Indicators
Local level
Agriculture Labourer
Production through multi-layered cropping
Key issue: Key issue: Secure land Secure land tenuretenure
Number of years families work on the same plot
Farmers’ organisation
Defend and monitor labourers’ rights
Enforcement support by Government
Regular meeting, reporting to local Government
Meso-level
Local Government Enforce land tenure
Policy & concept
Enforcement mechanism in place
National level
Ministries Develop law enforcement system
Political support Policy in place
Global level
FAO, donors Support GIAHS conservation discourse
Research & political support
GIAHS conservation concept in place
Possible Governance mechanism Possible Governance mechanism
development development
for “urgent issues” in oasis for “urgent issues” in oasis
conservation:conservation:Water table managementWater table managementLand conversion to buildingsLand conversion to buildingsTourism/park development Tourism/park development for townfor town
Niche marketing of oasis Niche marketing of oasis productsproducts
ConclusionConclusion Changing institutional environments undermine
Agricultural Heritage Systems (– and possibly most Low External Input Agriculture)
Result is agri-system disintegration & loss of livelihood opportunities for large groups of of farmers
A possible approach is multiple actors realising governance mechanisms to address urgent issues
Upcoming opportunities such as tourism, niche marketing etc. are “urgent issues” for the viability of agricultural heritage systems